Update: Greece Woman Bought Guns Used In Webster Killings

12/28/2012 4:48:49 AM

By Western New York US Attorney Office

4:12pm UPDATE-

WOMAN CHARGED WITH SUPPLYING GUNS USED INCHRISTMAS EVE SHOOTING

ROCHESTER, N.Y.– U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Dawn Nguyen, 24, of Greece, New York, has been charged with knowingly making a false statement in connection with the purchase of two firearms used in the Christmas Eve shooting that resulted in the deaths of Webster Police Lt. Michael Chiapperini and Firefighter Tomasz Kaczowka, and seriously injured Firefighters Theodore Scardino and Joseph Hostetter. The charges carry a maximum penalty of ten years imprisonment, a fine of $250,000.00, or both.

Assistant U.S. Bret A. Puscheck, who will handle the prosecution of the case, stated that the allegations are that Nguyen purchased a Bushmaster semiautomatic rifle and a Mossberg 12 gauge shotgun from Gander Mountain in Henrietta, New York on June 6, 2010. The guns were acquired on behalf of William Spengler, Jr., who took his own life after shooting the lieutenant and the three firefighters who were first responders to a reported fire on Lake Road in Webster.

In addition to the federal charges, the New York State Police arrested Dawn Nguyen on one count of Falsifying Business Records 1st degree, an E Felony. The arrest is for her involvement in facilitating the purchase of a gun to William Spengler. It is alleged that Nguyen knowingly made a false statement in connection with the purchase of a firearm. Nguyen was processed at the State Police in Rochester and given an appearance ticket returnable to the Town of Henrietta Court on January 8, 2013 at 5:00 PM.

The charges are a culmination of an investigation on the part of the Webster Police Department, under the direction of Chief Gerald Pickering, the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office, under the direction of District Attorney Sandra Doorley, Special Agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Joseph Anarumo, the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Mark Koss, and the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department, under the direction of Sheriff Patrick O’Flynn.

The fact that the defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. _____________________________________________________________________________________

The son of Dawn Welsher, a woman linked to a firearm used in the Christmas Eve shooting of four volunteer firefighters, said Friday the weapon actually was stolen from his sister’s car.

“They think they sold him the guns, but he stole them,” said the woman’s 18-year-old son, Steven Nguyen, in the doorway of the family’s Seneca County home.

A former female neighbor of William Spengler allegedly helped the ex-convict acquire the guns he used this week in the deadly attack on Webster firefighters.

The Democrat and Chronicle, quoting law enforcement officials with knowledge of the ongoing investigation, also reports the woman's daughter helped to get the guns. Police say criminal charges are expected against one or both of the women.

William Spengler

Spengler's criminal history prevented him from buying guns. He spent 17 years in prison for killing his 92-year old grandmother in 1980.

Police say they have traced the gun's serial numbers and a rambling three-page note left behind indicates the women helped Spengler obtain the weapons.